Stand

Abstract

A stand having an automatically correctable balancing system and balancing mechanisms electrically controlled by a computer (10). Replaceable accessories can be joined to a component (9) movably joined to the stand (6). Associated with the computer (10) are a calculation program and an information system that, by means of a reading device, reads correction information from data media of the accessories and conveys it to the computer.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A stand for supporting at least one component joined movably to said stand and a replaceable accessory detachably joined to said component, said stand comprising: 
       an automatically correctable balancing system having electrically controlled balancing mechanisms; and  
       a computer for activating said balancing mechanisms;  
       wherein a computational model is implemented by said computer, and said accessory includes at least one readable data medium for storing balance correction data associated with said accessory for input to said computational model to calculate control commands for activating said balancing mechanisms.  
     
     
       2. The stand as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said component is joined to said stand for angular displacement about orthogonal pivot axes (XDA/YDA/ZDA), and said computational model controls a relative movement between an intersection (D) of said pivot axes and the center-of-gravity (SP) of said component in such a way that the intersection (D) of the pivot axes lies at the overall center of gravity (SP) of said component. 
     
     
       3. The stand as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an automatic reading device in communication with said computer for reading said balance correction data stored by said at least one readable data medium. 
     
     
       4. The stand as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said balance correction data stored by said at least one readable data medium is readable by an operator, and said stand further comprises a data input unit in communication with said computer for enabling said operator to enter said balance correction data to said computer. 
     
     
       5. The stand as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said data input unit comprises a manually actuable keypad and a display. 
     
     
       6. The stand as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising an information system for receiving said balance correction data from said reading device and transmitting said balance correction data to said computer. 
     
     
       7. The stand as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor arranged to detect the position of said component relative to said stand, said at least one sensor being connected to said computer to convey position data relating to said component for input to said computational model in response to an adjustment in the position of said component relative to said stand. 
     
     
       8. The stand as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said at least one sensor includes an angle sensor for detecting angular displacement about a pivot axis. 
     
     
       9. The stand as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said replaceable accessory is movable relative to said component, and said computer receives position data relating to said accessory from a sensor arranged to detect the position of said accessory relative to said component for input to said computational model. 
     
     
       10. The stand as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said information system comprises a signal receiver that can receive from a distance signals that are emitted from signal transmitters on said component and said accessory part. 
     
     
       11. The stand as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said signal transmitters include a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
       12. The stand as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said signal transmitters include a ultrasonic transmitter. 
     
     
       13. The stand as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said signal transmitters include a radio transmitter. 
     
     
       14. The stand as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said signal transmitters include a light reflector excited by external light. 
     
     
       15. The stand as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said information system comprises telecommunication devices. 
     
     
       16. The stand as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said telecommunications devices include an infrared transceiver. 
     
     
       17. The stand as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said telecommunications devices include an ultrasound transceiver. 
     
     
       18. The stand as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said telecommunications devices include a radio transceiver. 
     
     
       19. The stand as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said at least one data medium comprises a microchip that automatically ascertains and transmits data relevant to balance to said information system. 
     
     
       20. The stand as defined in  claim 19 , wherein said data relative to balance is provided by an angle sensor associated with said accessory. 
     
     
       21. A method for automatically balancing out correctable balancing systems on a stand by means of a computer, said stand having a component movably joined thereto and said component having at least one replaceable accessory detachably joined thereto at an attachment base, said method comprising the steps of: 
       A) digitally sensing a weight and a center of gravity location of said at least one accessory with respect to said attachment base by means of an information system and conveying the sensed weight and center of gravity location to said computer for input to a corresponding computational model for correction; and  
       B) directly activating electrical positioning motors associated with said balancing systems via said computer to achieve balancing.  
     
     
       22. The method as defined in  claim 21 , further comprising the steps of sensing the position of said at least one replaceable accessory and automatically entering said sensed position into said computer via said information system for input to said computational model. 
     
     
       23. The method as defined in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of providing a microchip having a logic system which automatically ascertains said position of said at least one replaceable accessory, and conveys said position via said information system directly into said computer. 
     
     
       24. The method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said method comprises the steps of defining a local center-of-gravity coordinate system, calculating an actual center of gravity (SP) of said movable component in said local center-of-gravity coordinate system, computationally ascertaining the relative position of at least two pivot axes of said movable component, and activating said electrical positioning motors in such a way that an intersection (D) of said at least two pivot axes is brought into coincidence with said actual center of gravity (SP). 
     
     
       25. A method for automatically balancing out correctable balancing systems on a stand by means of a computer, said stand having a component movably joined thereto, and said component having at least one replaceable accessory detachably joined thereto at an attachment base, said method comprising the steps of: 
       A) indicating a weight and a center of gravity location of said at least one replaceable accessory on a readable data medium at said attachment base;  
       B) entering said weight and said center of gravity location into an information system connected to said computer, said information system conveying said weight and said center of gravity location to said computer for input to a corresponding computational model for correction; and  
       C) directly activating electrical positioning motors associated with said balancing systems via said computer to achieve balancing.  
     
     
       26. The method as defined in  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of sensing the position of said at least one replaceable accessory and automatically entering said sensed position into said computer via said information system for input to said computational model. 
     
     
       27. The method as defined in  claim 26 , further comprising the step of providing a microchip having a logic system which automatically ascertains said position of said at least one replaceable accessory, and conveys said position via said information system directly into said computer. 
     
     
       28. The method as defined in  claim 25 , wherein said method comprises the steps of defining a local center-of-gravity coordinate system, calculating an actual center of gravity (SP) of said movable component in said local center-of-gravity coordinate system, computationally ascertaining the relative position of at least two pivot axes of said movable component, and activating said electrical positioning motors in such a way that an intersection (D) of said at least two pivot axes is brought into coincidence with said actual center of gravity (SP). 
     
     
       29. In a stand comprising an automatically correctable balancing system having electrically controlled balancing mechanisms and a computer for activating said balancing mechanisms, said stand having a component joined movably thereto, and said component having at least one replaceable accessory detachably joined thereto, the improvement comprising: 
       a computational model and an information system associated with said computer, said information system comprising a signal transmitter that transmits, from a distance, control signals from said computer to signal receivers for positioning motors operably connected to said accessory parts.